Opening a taxi business can be a wonderful way to make money and provide a valuable service to your community. However, it is important to do your research and plan carefully before you get started. Here are some things you need to consider: Providing a superior service for a fair price is where you want to be. Remember you need about 20.00 a day put aside for both insurance and car maintenance and there still will be gas and a car payment. When in doubt try 2 bucks a mile or, if driving, 50.00 an hour. So, our closest airport, flyjacksonville.com, is about 50 miles away, to compete we charge about 90.00 and it is an hour there and hour back, so 100 dollars would be a fare, <sic> rate. When you quote Orlando, do not forget to add in the tolls. So, we charge 225.00 flat rate to make up for the 20.00 in tolls that sunbiz.com charges to use faster and better roads. There is a cheaper way to go, 

Driving a taxi is more of a way of life and at least for me requires a monk like existence while being available as much as possible. Without taking the time to eat properly, no more Happy Meals, fast food is not good nor is good food fast, Proper sleep, diet, and exercise, keeping mentally fit is an impossibility. In another chapter we will go over diets and exercise which I believe helps relieve stress and improves our well-being and actual shopping for food and preparing home cooked meals is not only healthier and cheaper, but it replaced the time that, in my past, was more devoted to injurious behavior. 

Another time management issue will be allowing enough time to, on a business level, clean your car. Car washes now have particularly good and cheap deals that allow you to wash your car multiple times in a month and besides having free vacuums they really do suck too. Driving your car for a living can put many extra miles on the vehicle so plan to put twenty dollars away a day and follow the information, usually in miles, on oil changes, transmission flushes, tire rotations and those dreaded 30,000-mile maintenance appointments. 

1. Do your research 

Before you do anything else, it is important to research the taxi industry in your area. This includes looking at the competition, the demand for taxis, and the regulations that apply to taxi businesses. You can find this information online, at your local library, or by talking to other taxi businesses in your area. As a rideshare independent employee you should be able to acquire a good customer base that works for your business hours and location. Pricing, availability and dependably are key and ideally working with a partner can be beneficial to both parties. A daytime and nighttime to start then perhaps start a local taxi cartel, 

1. Get the necessary permits and licenses 

Every city and state has different regulations for taxi businesses. You will need to research the requirements in your area and obtain the necessary permits and licenses before you can start operating your business. 

1. Purchase or lease vehicles 

You will need to purchase or lease vehicles for your taxi business. When choosing vehicles, you need to consider the following factors: 

• Passenger capacity 
• Fuel efficiency 
• Maintenance costs 
• Comfort and safety 

1. Hire and train drivers 

Once you have your vehicles, you will need to hire and train drivers. Drivers must be able to pass a background check and a driving test. They should also be familiar with the area and be able to provide good customer service. 

1. Market your business 

Once you are up and running, you will need to market your business to attract customers. You can do this by advertising in local newspapers and magazines, online, or by word-of-mouth. 

1. Provide excellent customer service 

One of the most important things you can do to succeed in the taxi business is to provide excellent customer service. This means being on time, courteous, and helpful to your customers. 

1. Stay up-to-date with technology 

The taxi industry is constantly changing, so it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest technology. This includes using GPS systems, mobile apps, and other tools that can help you run your business more efficiently. 

1. Manage your finances 

It is important to keep track of your finances and make sure your business is profitable. You should track your income and expenses, and make sure you are charging enough to cover your costs and make a profit. 

1. Be prepared for emergencies 

As a business owner, you need to be prepared for emergencies. This includes having a backup plan in case of a vehicle breakdown or a natural disaster. 

1. Enjoy your business! 

Owning a taxi business can be a lot of work, but it can also be extremely rewarding. If you are passionate about providing a good service to your community, then owning a taxi business could be the right choice for you. 

Here are some additional tips for opening a successful taxi business: 

• Choose a suitable location for your taxi stand. 
• Offer competitive rates. 
• Provide a clean and comfortable ride for your customers. 
• Use a reliable dispatch system. 
• Keep your vehicles in good condition. 

• Be responsive to customer feedback. 
• Stay up-to-date with the latest regulations. 

I did this but with the coronavirus event I lost drivers, and my debt became unbearable. 

You can do a few free things to help with a Google My Business page which can be seen on Google Search and Google Maps. If you have a decent car and at least a small base of customers, you can try Google AdWords. They initially give you a 500,00 credit so use it.I believe Yellow Pages and Yelp also do this. 

The following citations are important for SEO and taxi and airport shuttles: 

• Google My Business listing 
• Yelp listing 
• TripAdvisor listing 
• Bing Places for Business listing 
• Facebook page 
• Twitter account 
• Instagram account 
• LinkedIn page 
• Website 

These citations will help you improve your search engine ranking and make it easier for potential customers to find you. 

So do not get cancelled start your legitimate business, consult a CPA, open a Quicken independent contractor account to handle your bookkeeping and become a small business owner. This will be for those who plan to work longer hours and be available for your new stable of rideshare users as much as possible. There is no sin in working with a buddy even if they are a traditional taxi driver, they may return the favor. There also is no reason that you cannot continue the Uber or Lyft app. Get them to the concert as a rideshare, take them home as a small business owner. And here are some Apps to help you on your journey. 

There are several types of phone apps that a taxi driver may find useful, from navigation and communication tools to ride-hailing apps and those for managing finances. Here are a few suggestions. 

• Navigation Apps: Google Maps or Waze can provide real-time GPS navigation, traffic, and transit info, helping taxi drivers to find the quickest routes. 
• Rideshare Apps: Depending on where you’re working, apps like Uber, Lyft, Ola, or Grab might be necessary to connect with customers. These can provide an additional source of income beyond traditional taxi fares. 
• Communication Apps: WhatsApp or other messaging apps can be used to communicate with customers or dispatchers. 
• Traffic Update Apps: Apps like INRIX Traffic or TomTom GO can provide real-time traffic updates, road conditions, and alerts, helping taxi drivers avoid congestion and delays. 
• Finance/Expense Tracker Apps: It can be important for drivers to keep track of their income, expenses, and mileage for tax purposes. Apps like QuickBooks, Mint, or Expensify can be useful for this. 
• Emergency/Safety Apps: Apps like Noonlight or other personal safety apps can provide an additional level of security for drivers, especially when working late at night or in unfamiliar areas. 
• Weather Apps: Weather updates are important for taxi drivers to plan their routes better and to avoid dangerous weather conditions. Apps like The Weather Channel or AccuWeather can help. 
• Language Translation Apps: If you often have customers who speak different languages, translation apps like Google Translate can be helpful. 
• Parking Apps: In crowded cities, finding parking can be a challenge. Apps like SpotHero or ParkMobile can help find and reserve parking spots. 
• Gas Price Comparison Apps: Apps like GasBuddy can help find the nearest and cheapest gas station. 
• Roadside Assistance Apps: Apps like AAA Mobile can be beneficial in case of vehicle breakdowns. 

Remember, the appropriate apps can differ based on a driver’s specific needs and the region in which they work. 

I think I might suggest an airline flight app, some social media apps and some gaming apps or multimedia apps and what would be the most popular choices. 

Certainly, a taxi driver might also find it useful to have access to certain airline flight tracking apps, social media platforms, and entertainment apps for downtime. Here are some suggestions. 

• Airline Flight Tracking Apps: FlightAware Flight Tracker or Flightradar24 can provide real-time flight status updates and can be particularly useful for drivers who often pick up or drop off at airports. 
• Social Media Apps: Social media apps like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram can help drivers stay connected with friends, family, and the world at large. They can also be useful for keeping an eye on local events and traffic updates. 
• Gaming Apps: During downtime, gaming apps can provide entertainment. The most popular choices will depend on individual preferences, but some commonly downloaded games include Candy Crush Saga, Clash of Clans, Pokémon GO, and Among Us. 
• Multimedia Apps: Spotify or Apple Music for music, Audible or Kindle for audiobooks, and Netflix or Hulu for watching movies or TV shows during breaks. For podcasts, drivers might consider apps like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. 
• News Apps: To keep up with the latest news, apps like BBC News, CNN, or The New York Times could be beneficial. 
• Health and Wellness Apps: Driving for long hours can take a toll on one’s health. Apps like Headspace for mindfulness, MyFitnessPal for nutrition, or 7 Minute Workout for quick exercises can be quite useful. 

Remember, the selection of apps will depend on the driver’s interests, needs, and the smartphone’s capabilities. Also, it is important to ensure that these apps are used responsibly while driving to ensure safety.